System and method for coating medical conduit with particles and use thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for the production of a medical device for use as a nerve guide. The system and method provide for coating a polymer layer with particles, wherein the particles can comprise active agents for the repair or regeneration of nerve defects. The present invention further provides an implantable device for repairing or regenerating a nerve defect prepared by the system and method set forth above, and methods of treatment using said device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for coating a polymer layer with particles comprising:
 a base, wherein the base comprises a flat surface and a gear track;   a removable frame coupled to the plate surface of the base, wherein a layer of particles is formed within the frame; and   a mandrel base, wherein a polymer coated mandrel is attached to the mandrel base;   wherein the mandrel base rotates in the gear track in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface with the polymer coated mandrel rotating on the layer of particles to form a particle coated polymer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a removable mandrel guide coupled to the base, wherein the mandrel guide forms a channel with the flat surface;   when the mandrel base rotates in the gear track, the polymer coated mandrel rotates in the channel.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spreader, wherein the spreader spreads the particles on the flat surface within the frame to form the layer of particles.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a removable parchment holder coupled to the base, wherein the parchment holder holds wax paper or parchment paper on the flat surface, and   wherein the layer of particles is formed on the wax paper or parchment paper.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable frame is coupled to the flat surface via magnet. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gear track is a groove. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are selected from the group consisting of a microsphere, a nanosphere, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise double-walled particles, wherein the double-walled particles comprise the active agent that is released over a pre-determined period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the double-walled particles comprise a core and shell, wherein the core comprises poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and the shell comprises poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the double-walled particles further comprise active agent, and wherein the active agent is Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF). 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a drug dose of the neurotrophic factor in the double-walled particles is from about 3 ng/mg to about 6 ng/mg. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel is selected from the group consisting of a biodegradable structure, a biologically derived structure, a bioactive structure, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a cylindrical structure of purified collagen or a decellularized scaffold. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone (PCL). 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is made from polylactic acid (PLA) or steel. 
     
     
         16 . A implantable device for repairing or regenerating a nerve defect in a subject, prepared by the system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method for repairing or regenerating a nerve defect, comprising: placing a cylindrical medical device around the nerve defect. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cylindrical medical device comprises:
 a plurality layer of polymer.   wherein at least one of the plurality of polymer layers comprises a coating of a plurality of particles.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 . wherein the polymer is polycaprolactone (PCL). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 . wherein the particles comprise double-walled particles.